Going pro with Cayman Diving College/Go Pro Cayman?

[oreocookie]

I'm looking to do my DM and possibly instructor course this coming summer or fall, and Cayman Diving College is one of the options I've come across that seems worth consideration to me. So here are my questions: If you did your pro training with them, what was your experience like? Was there anything (good or bad) that really stuck out for you? Would you recommend them?

What is their reputation like among dive ops in the Caymans? If you're a dive op, will you hire their graduates?

 

[Thalassamania]

I know nothing about the operation, but you should consider that you should train in a location that is similar, both in conditions and clientele to where you plan on teaching afterwards.

 

[billinwilliamston]

My wife did her IDC with Ash at CDC in October. We had to come back to the real world so she could fulfill her obligation to her day job. She is the only one who did the full course with Ash who did not immediately get a job working as an instructor on the island.

'Nuf said I think.

 

[oreocookie]

Thal, thanks for the reminder. I'm trying to look into all my options, local and abroad, and then I'll decide what fits my aspirations and logistics best.

My wife did her IDC with Ash at CDC in October. We had to come back to the real world so she could fulfill her obligation to her day job. She is the only one who did the full course with Ash who did not immediately get a job working as an instructor on the island.

'Nuf said I think.

That definitely is encouraging.

 

[billinwilliamston]

I should add "results may not be typical, individual results may vary"

 

[splishysplashy]

I have not trained with Cayman Diving College myself, but i have met a couple of their graduates in the last year or so- one working for a dive op on Seven Mile, GCM and the other working in Cozumel. I am always interested in others' experiences during instructor training and make a point of discussing it with the dive staff i meet. Both spoke highly of CDC and obviously enjoyed the course. However their description of the course seemed to me lacking attention to detail and emphasis on standards, and neither person seemed particularly well-prepared for working in the dive industry. The phrase 'bare minimum' comes to mind!Obviously though, as billinwilliamston says, individuals vary and i'm sure they have produced some better instructors too! If you are looking at the Caribbean region I would say from my experience Utila Dive Center and Buddy Dive Bonaire seem to have consistently good reputations. Hope this helps!

 

[oreocookie]

splishysplashy, Yay, more food for thought! Any impressions and experiences I can get from other divers here just adds depth to the impressions I get from their website (photos, etc) and from their correspondence.

 

[EastEndDiver]

here is an article from todays Cay Compass News;

cayCompass.com :: More diving instructors pass

 

[oreocookie]

I'm not sure if I should take that to mean they're an instructor factory, but then, if they're 1 of very few shops doing IDCs on the island, I guess it's sort of understandable. Right now, I'm leaning towards going with them because my other front-runner (which I think might have a slightly better program) is not in a place where I can see myself living/working after the course. (Also GC seems to be a safer place to travel to as a solo female traveler.) I've still got to give my LDS an opportunity to give me a compelling reason to stick around, though. (My desire to go abroad is based partially on personal reasons, not just water temperature.)